Motorized crankcase oil drainage system

ABSTRACT

A modified drain plug replaces the standard drain plug in an internal combustion engine crankcase and is coupled by a hydraulic conduit to an electric motor-driven pump for draining oil from the crankcase; a drain passage through the modified crankcase drain plug accommodates therein a spring-biased check valve ball which cooperates with a valve seat in the drain passage for normally closing the drain passage to prevent accidental drainage of oil therethrough.

United States Patent 1 1 1 3,743,053 Kuklewicz July 3 1973 [54]MOTORIZED CRANKCASE OIL DRAINAGE 2,216,360 10/1940 Sweetland 184/].5

SYSTEM 3,196,982 7/1965 Dinkelkamp 184/15 Inventor: George T. Kuklewicz,3741 Fullerton Avenue, Chicago, 111. 60647 Filed: Jan. 27, 1971 Appl.No.: 110,105

US. Cl l84/l.5, 137/539, 285/334.5 Int. Cl. F01m 11/04 Field of Search137/539; 184/15;

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 10/1932 Baldwin, Jr. 1. 285/3345X 7/1940 Wood 184/].5 11/1966 Burrell et al 184/15 PrimaryExaminer-Manuel A. Antonakas Attorney-Prangley, Dithmar, Vogel, Sandler& Stotland [57] ABSTRACT 3 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures PAIENIE JuLs maINVENTOR GEORGE. 7T KUKLEW/CZ MOTORIZED CRANKCASE OIL DRAINAGE SYSTEMThis invention relates to a fluid removal system, and in particular to asystem for draining oil from the crankcase of an internal combustionengine.

It is a general object of this invention to provide a powered drainagesystem for removal of oil'from the crankcase of an internal combustionengine without the necessity of removing the drain plug from thecrankcase drain outlet. More particularly, where the internal combustionengine is in a vehicle, it is an object of this invention to provide asystem for removing the oil from the engine crankcase without thenecessity of elevating the vehicle or otherwise providing accessibilityto the underside thereof by a service attendant.

It is another object of this invention to provide a modified drain plugfor the crankcase of an internal combustion engine, which plug isprovided with a drain passage therethrough for permitting drainage ofthe oil from the crankcase and which is further provided with a checkvalve therein for preventing accidental escape of oil therethrough.

It is an important object of this invention to provide a drain plug forinsertion in the drain opening of an associated fluid reservoir andadapted to be coupled by an associated fluid conduit to an associatedpump for draining fluid from the reservoir, the drain plug comprising amain body having a drain passage therethrough provided at one endthereof with an inlet port and provided at the other end thereof with anoutlet port, reservoir coupling means on the main body for coupling themain body to the associated reservoir with the inlet port communicatingwith the interior of the associated reservoir, conduit coupling means onthe main body for coupling the-main body to one end of the associatedconduit with the outlet port communicating with the interior of theassociated conduit, valve mechanism carried by the main body and movablebetween a closed condition for preventing the flow of fluid through thedrain passage and an open condition for accommodating the flow of fluidthrough the drain passage, and means yieldably biasing the valvemechanism into the closed condition thereof to prevent accidental escapeof fluid through the drain passage, the valve mechanism being movable tothe open condition thereof in response to operation of the associatedpump for pumping fluid from the associated reservoir through the drainpassage and the associated conduit to the associated pump.

Yet, another object of this invention is to provide a powered drainagesystem for draining oil from the crankcase of an internal combustionengine through the crankcase drain opening, the drainage systemcomprising a drain plug of the type set forth, a motor driven pumphaving an input and an output therein, and a hydraulic conduit providinga communication between the outlet port of the drain passage and theinput of the pump.

Further features of the invention pertain to the particular arrangementof the parts of the powered drainage system, whereby the above-outlinedand additional operating features thereof are attained.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation,together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best beunderstood by reference to the following specification taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the power drainage systemconstructed in accordance with and embodying the features of the presentinvention, illustrating a typical mounting position of the drainagesystem on an internal combustion engine; and

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view in partial section of the modified drain plugof the present invention, illustrating the means by which the plug iscoupled to the associated crankcase and drain conduit.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, there is illustrated in FIG. 1a drainage system, generally designated by the numeral 20, andconstructed in accordance with and embodying the features of the presentinvention. The drainage system 20 is for use with an internal combustionengine 21 provided with the usual exhaust manifolds 23 and a crankcase25 closed at the bottom end thereof by an oil pan 27. While for purposesof illustration there has been shown an internal combustion engine 21having a V-type block, it will of course be understood that the presentinvention is usable with any type of internal combustion engine which isprovided with a crankcase for lubricating oil. The bottom wall 28 of thecrankcase oil pan 27 is provided with the standard internally threadeddrain opening 29 therein to permit the draining of used oil from thecrankcase 25.

Mounted adjacent to the upper end of the engine 21 is a motor-pumpassembly 30, which preferably includes an electric motor mounted indriving engagement with a hydraulic pump. Preferably, the electric drivemotor for the motor-pump assembly 30 is adapted to be energized by astandard 12 volt automotive storage battery, so that the electric motormay simply be coupled to the terminals of the automobile battery inseries with a suitable control switch. The pump portion of themotor-pump assembly 30 is preferably a self-priming low pressure rotaryimpeller pump having flexible rubber impeller vanes mounted for rotationabout a drive shaft. The pump of the motor-pump assembly 30 is providedwith an input fitting 31 and a discharge fitting 33, the dischargefitting 33 being in turn coupled to a discharge conduit 35 which may bedirected to any suitable container for the used oil.

Coupled to the input fitting 31 of the motor-pump assembly 30 is theoutput end 41 of a tubular vacuum conduit 40, the input end 42 of theconduit 40 being provided with an outwardly flared annular flange 43thereon, for a purpose to be described more fully below. Secured to theinput end 42 of the conduit 40 in surrounding relationship therewith isa coupler fitting, generally designated by the numeral 45, and providedwith an annular flat head 47 and a cylindrical externally threaded shank49 extending from the head 47 toward the adjacent end of the conduit 40.The coupler fitting 45 is preferably locked in position longitudinallyof the conduit 40, while being freely rotatable about the axis thereof.

In the drainage system 20 of the present invention, the standard drainplug for the drain opening 29 in the crankcase oil pan 27 is replaced bya modified drain plug, generally designated by the numeral 50. The drainplug 50 is generally T-shaped and includes a main cylindrical body 51and a cylindrical coupling neck 53 integral with the main body 51 andextending outwardly therefrom substantially normal to the longitudinalaxis thereof intermediate the ends thereof. The coupling neck 53 isexternally threaded and is shaped and dimensioned for threadedengagement with the internally threaded drain opening 29 in thecrankcase oil pan 27 for thereby replacing the standard drain plug. Oneend of the main body 51 defines an outlet leg 55 for the drain plug 50.The outlet leg 55 has an internally threaded opening 57 extendingaxially thereinto and an annular shoulder 59 disposed adjacent to theinner end of the threaded opening 57, the shoulder 59 having a slopingannular outer surface 58 extending radially inwardly of the opening 57toward the outer end thereof.

The drain plug 50 has formed therein a drain passage, generallydesignated by the numeral 60, which includes a generally cylindricalinlet chamber 61 of relatively large diameter extending outwardlythrough the coupling neck 63 coaxially therewith, and a generallycylindrical outlet chamber 63 of relatively small diameter extendingoutwardly through the outlet leg 55 coaxially therewith. The inletchamber 61 has formed adjacent to the outer end thereof an annular valveseat 64 which slopes radially inwardly of the chamber 61 toward theupper end thereof. The valve seat 64 serves to connect the outer end ofthe inlet chamber 61 with relatively small-diameter inlet throat 67which extends to the outer end of the coupling neck 53 and terminatesthereat in a generally circular inlet port 65. The inner end of theinlet chamber 61 is disposed in the main body portion 51 of the drainplug 50 and communicates with the inner end of the outlet chamber 63.The outlet chamber 63 extends outwardly from the inlet chamber 61 to theright, as viewed in FIG. 2, and terminates at a circular outlet port 69which is defined by the annular shoulder 59 in the outlet leg 55 of thedrain plug 50, whereby the outlet port 69 communicates with theinternally threaded opening 57.

Disposed within the inlet chamber 61 is a check valve ball 70 adaptedfor engagement with the valve seat 64 and having a diameter greater thanthe diameter of the inlet throat 67 but less than the diameter of theinlet chamber 61. The check valve ball 70 is yieldably urged intoengagement with the valve seat 64 by means of a check valve spring 75which is preferably a coil compression spring having a diameter onlyslightly less than the diameter of the inlet chamber 61 and disposedtherein, with the upper end of the spring 75 in engagement with the ball70 and with the lower end of the spring 75 in engagement with the bottomwall of the inlet chamber 61.

Referring to FIG. 2, the coupler fitting 45 on the input end 42 of theconduit 40 is constructed for threaded engagement with the outlet leg 55of the drain plug 50, the annular flange 43 of the conduit 40 beingadaptable for engagement with the outlet leg 55 of the drain plug 50,the annular flange 43 of the conduit 40 being adaptable for engagementwith the sloping outer surface 58 of the shoulder 59, when the couplerfitting 45 is tightly screwed into the outlet leg 55 to insure afluid-tight coupling between the conduit 40 and the drain plug 50. Whenthe conduit 40 is thus coupled to the drain plug 50, as illustrated inFIG. 2, the outlet chamber 63 of the drain passage 60 is disposedsubstantially coaxially with the input end of the conduit 40, with theoutlet port 69 communicating with the interior of the conduit 40.

In use, the standard drain plug is removed from the crankcase oil pan 27of the internal combustion engine 21, and is replaced by the modifieddrain plug 50 of the present invention, by screwing the externallythreaded coupling neck 53 into the outlet drain opening 29 of thecrankcase oil pan 27, as illustrated in FIG. 2. When the modified drainplug 50 is thus secured in position in the outlet drain opening 29, theinlet port 65 of the drain passage 60 is disposed in communication withthe interior of the crankcase 25. Preferably, the drain plug 50 ismounted in the outlet drain opening 29 prior to coupling thereto of theconduit 40, so that the conduit 40 will not interfere with the screwingof the drain plug 50 into the outlet drain opening 29. After the drainplug 59 has been secured in place in the crankcase oil pan 25, thecoupler fitting of the conduit 40 is coupled to the outlet leg of thedrain plug in the manner described above. As is illustrated in FIG. 2,the check valve ball 70 will normally be urged into a closed conditionin engagement with the valve seat 64, securely blocking the inlet throat67. Thus, in normal use of the internal combustion engine 21, oil willbe prevented from accidentally draining from the crankcase 25 by meansof the check valve ball 70, the spring 75 exerting sufficient force onthe ball 70 to prevent displacement thereof downwardly into an opencondition by the weight of the oil in the crankcase 25.

When it is desired to remove oil from the crankcase 25, the motor-pumpassembly 30 is actuated, preferably by means of a suitable controlswitch (not shown). Upon actuation of the motor-pump assembly 30, thepumping action thereof will evacuate air from the conduit 40 and thedrain passage 60, whereby the atmospheric pressure in the crankcase 25will overcome the biasing force of the spring 75 and urge the checkvalve ball 70 downwardly to an open condition (not shown) for therebyunblocking the inlet throat 67 to accommodate drainage of oil from thecrankcase 25 through the drain passage and the conduit 40 to themotor-pump assembly 30. The oil thus pumped from the crankcase 25 is fedthrough a discharge conduit 35 into any suitable container for used oil.This draining operation will continue until all the oil has been removedfrom the crankcase 25, after which the motor-pump assembly 30 is turnedoff. After the pumping action ceases, the pressure within the conduit 40and the drain passage 60 will return to atmospheric pressure, whereuponthe check valve ball will be urged back into the closed conditionthereof by the spring 75. A fresh supply of oil may now be added to thecrankcase 25 without fear of accidental drainage thereof through themodified drain plug 50.

While the motor-pump assembly 30 has been disclosed as mounted on theengine 21 adjacent to the upper end thereof, it will of course berecognized that it may be located in any other convenient position onthe vehicle (if the engine is mounted in a vehicle) or otherwiseadjacent to the engine 21. Because of the check valve mechanism of thepresent invention, it is not essential that the motor-pump assembly 30be mounted in a position disposed above the upper level of the oil inthe crankcase 25.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that there has been provided animproved drainage system of economical construction and characterized bysimplicity of installation and operation for removing oil from thecrankcase of an internal combustion engine.

More particularly, there has been provided a powered drainage systemwhich includes check valve means to prevent inadvertent drainage of oilfrom the internal combustion engine when the powered drainage system isnot in operation.

Finally, there has been provided a modified drain plug for replacing thestandard drain plug in the crankcase drain outlet of an internalcombustion engine, the modified drain plug having a drain passagetherethrough to permit powered drainage of oil therethrough and furtherincluding suitable check valve means to prevent accidental drainage ofoil therethrough.

While there has been described what at present is considered to be theprefered embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that variousmodifications may be made therein, and it is intended to cover in theappended claims all such modifications as fall within the true spiritand scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A powered drainage system for draining oil from the crankcase of aninternal combustion engine through the crankcase drain opening, saiddrainage system comprising a motor-driven pump having an input and anoutput thereto, a drain plug receivable in the drain opening and havinga drain passage therethrough,

said drain passage having a first portion of relatively largecross-sectional area and a second portion of relatively smallcross-sectional area and a sloping portion interconnecting said firstand second portions to form a valve seat, said drain passage having aninlet port at said second portion communicating with the interior of thecrankcase and an outlet port communicating with the exterior of thecrankcase, said drain plug including an internally threaded outletcoupling portion disposed in surrounding relationship with said outletport, a hydraulic conduit providing communication between the outletport of said drain passage and the input of said pump, said conduitincluding an externally threaded coupling member receivable in andthreadedly engageable with said internally threaded outlet couplingportion for providing a fluid-tight coupling between said conduit andsaid drain plug, valve mechanism carried by said drain plug and movablebetween a closed condition in engagement with said valve seat forclosing said second portion of said drain passage to prevent the flow ofoil through said drain passage and an open condition out of engagementwith said valve seat for accommodating the flow of oil through saiddrain passage, and means yieldably biasing said valve mechanism into theclosed condition thereof to prevent accidental escape of oil throughsaid drain passage, operation of said pump effecting movement of saidvalve mechanism to the open condition thereof and consequent pumping ofoil from the crankcase through said drain passage and said conduit tothe output of said pump.

2. A powered drainage system for draining oil from the crankcase ofinternal combustion engine through the crankcase drain opening, saiddrainage system comprising a motor-driven pump having an input and anoutput thereto, a drain plug receivable in the drain opening and havinga drain passage therethrough, said drain passage having a first portionof relatively large cross-sectional area and a second portion ofrelatively small cross-sectional area and a sloping portioninterconnecting said first and second portions to form a valve seat,said drain passage having an inlet port at said second portioncommunicating with the interior of the crankcase and an outlet portcommunicating with the exterior of the crankcase, said drain plugincluding an annular shoulder disposed adjacent to said outlet port insurrounding relationship therewith, and an internally threaded outletcoupling portion disposed in surrounding relationship with saidshoulder, a hydraulic conduit providing communication between the outletport of said drain passage and the input of said pump, said conduithaving an annular flange at one end thereof for engagement with theannular shoulder on said drain plug, an externally threaded couplingmember receivable in and threadedly engageable with said internallythreaded outlet coupling portion for providing a fluid-tight couplingbetween said conduit and said drain plug, valve mechanism carried bysaid drain plug and movable between a closed condition in engagementwith said valve seat for closing said second portion of said drainpassage to prevent the flow of oil through said drain passage and anopen condition out of engagement with said valve seat for accommodatingthe flow of oil through said drain passage, and means yieldably biasingsaid valve mechanism into the closed condition thereof to preventaccidental escape of oil through said drain passage, operation of saidpump effecting movement of said valve mechanism to the open conditionthereof and consequent pumping of oil from the crankcase through saiddrain passage and said conduit to the output of said pump.

3. The powered drainage system set forth in claim 2, wherein saidannular shoulder is provided with a generally conical outer surface,said annular flange on said conduit having a generally conical innersurface adapted to be disposed in engagement with conical outer surfaceon said shoulder in surrounding relationship therewith when saidcoupling member is tightly threadedly engaged with said drain plug forinsuring a fluid-tight coupling between said conduit and said drainplug.

1. A powered drainage system for draining oil from the crankcase of aninternal combustion engine through the crankcase drain opening, saiddrainage system comprising a motor-driven pump having an input and anoutput thereto, a drain plug receivable in the drain opening and havinga drain passage therethrough, said drain passage having a first portionof relatiVely large crosssectional area and a second portion ofrelatively small crosssectional area and a sloping portioninterconnecting said first and second portions to form a valve seat,said drain passage having an inlet port at said second portioncommunicating with the interior of the crankcase and an outlet portcommunicating with the exterior of the crankcase, said drain plugincluding an internally threaded outlet coupling portion disposed insurrounding relationship with said outlet port, a hydraulic conduitproviding communication between the outlet port of said drain passageand the input of said pump, said conduit including an externallythreaded coupling member receivable in and threadedly engageable withsaid internally threaded outlet coupling portion for providing afluid-tight coupling between said conduit and said drain plug, valvemechanism carried by said drain plug and movable between a closedcondition in engagement with said valve seat for closing said secondportion of said drain passage to prevent the flow of oil through saiddrain passage and an open condition out of engagement with said valveseat for accommodating the flow of oil through said drain passage, andmeans yieldably biasing said valve mechanism into the closed conditionthereof to prevent accidental escape of oil through said drain passage,operation of said pump effecting movement of said valve mechanism to theopen condition thereof and consequent pumping of oil from the crankcasethrough said drain passage and said conduit to the output of said pump.2. A powered drainage system for draining oil from the crankcase ofinternal combustion engine through the crankcase drain opening, saiddrainage system comprising a motor-driven pump having an input and anoutput thereto, a drain plug receivable in the drain opening and havinga drain passage therethrough, said drain passage having a first portionof relatively large cross-sectional area and a second portion ofrelatively small cross-sectional area and a sloping portioninterconnecting said first and second portions to form a valve seat,said drain passage having an inlet port at said second portioncommunicating with the interior of the crankcase and an outlet portcommunicating with the exterior of the crankcase, said drain plugincluding an annular shoulder disposed adjacent to said outlet port insurrounding relationship therewith, and an internally threaded outletcoupling portion disposed in surrounding relationship with saidshoulder, a hydraulic conduit providing communication between the outletport of said drain passage and the input of said pump, said conduithaving an annular flange at one end thereof for engagement with theannular shoulder on said drain plug, an externally threaded couplingmember receivable in and threadedly engageable with said internallythreaded outlet coupling portion for providing a fluid-tight couplingbetween said conduit and said drain plug, valve mechanism carried bysaid drain plug and movable between a closed condition in engagementwith said valve seat for closing said second portion of said drainpassage to prevent the flow of oil through said drain passage and anopen condition out of engagement with said valve seat for accommodatingthe flow of oil through said drain passage, and means yieldably biasingsaid valve mechanism into the closed condition thereof to preventaccidental escape of oil through said drain passage, operation of saidpump effecting movement of said valve mechanism to the open conditionthereof and consequent pumping of oil from the crankcase through saiddrain passage and said conduit to the output of said pump.
 3. Thepowered drainage system set forth in claim 2, wherein said annularshoulder is provided with a generally conical outer surface, saidannular flange on said conduit having a generally conical inner surfaceadapted to be disposed in engagement with conical outer surface on saidshoulder in surrounding relationship therewith when said coupling membeRis tightly threadedly engaged with said drain plug for insuring afluid-tight coupling between said conduit and said drain plug.